Truemors
In a decision published on their web site early Thursday morning, the European Court of Human Rights stated the City of Moscow "had no legal basis" to deny registration for the Church of Scientology of Moscow as a religious community, bringing to an end a decade-long legal battle with a victory for the Church.
The Church of Scientology International called this unanimous decision “a precedent-setting ruling that will help guarantee these rights for people of all faiths.”
The Scientology church operated in Moscow legally from 1994-97, when a change in the law required all religious groups to get reregistered. Those that failed to do so faced the threat of dissolution by a judicial order. But when then attempted to re-register, the city refused them permission, starting ten years of litigation.
The EU Court stated in its opinion that "freedom of thought, conscience and religion is one of the foundations of a 'democratic society' within the meaning of the Convention,” describing this as “a precious asset,” and went on to say “The pluralism indissociable from a democratic society, which has been dearly won over the centuries, depends on it."
The Court pointed out that “the ability to establish a legal entity in order to act collectively in a field of mutual interest is one of the most important aspects of freedom of association, without which that right would be deprived of any meaning,” and that “freedom of religion encompasses the expectation that the community will be allowed to function peacefully, free from arbitrary State intervention."
UK solicitor Peter Hodkin, who represented the Scientology Church in court stated, “This case signals the end of discrimination towards the religious community of Scientologists by government authorities across Europe.”
The European Court of Human Rights enforces the European Convention on Human Rights, which Russia and 45 other countries have signed.
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